The Panther Post

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Dear Laurel Woods Community,

🎉 Calling All K–2 Families! 🎉

Do you have a student in Kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade?
Then you won’t want to miss our cozy and exciting Primary S'Mores Reading Night!

📚✨ Come in your comfy PJs and bring your favorite stuffed animal for a night full of reading data, reading strategies, smiles, and snuggly fun!

📅 Date: October 15, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Laurel Woods Elementary School

Mark your calendars and RSVP today — this will be a night to remember! 🌙💫

With Pride,

Dr. Burks, Ms. Braxton, & Ms. Lee

The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 1-5 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please see the attached Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. Stories and poems must be typed and saved as a Word Doc or Googledoc. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet sent as a PDF. Submissions may be emailed to Lauren Konick by December 15, 2025. Contact Lauren Konick with any questions. All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.

Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.

Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meals by Oct. 31

Families may be eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits including free or discounted college tuition, testing and application fees, program fees and many others. Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program, including a link to apply, are available online.

Individual student pictures will be taken on Thursday, October 23, 2025. All students will have their picture taken for the yearbook. Students who are absent will have an opportunity to have their picture taken at a later date. If you'd like to order a picture package, order forms will be coming home with every student soon. Orders may be placed online at mylifetouch.com using our school code: EVTHPC9RB or by returning the order form with payment in the attached envelope on picture day with your student. Click here to view the flyer.

Now that your child(ren) are back in school, enjoying new learning experiences and making new friends, it’s a good time to develop a Family's Help Bank. Emergencies or illnesses can arise unexpectedly, and having a plan in place can make all the difference.

This document will guide you in identifying trusted family members, friends, or neighbors who can step in to help ensure your child(ren) get to school safely when you need extra support.

The Howard County Local Children’s Board is partnering with the Maryland Coalition of Families to host a Family Leadership Institute – a free two-day training opportunity for Howard County parents and caregivers of school-aged children with mental/behavioral health challenges. The deadline to apply for this program is October 17th. This event is being held November 7th-8th, at Columbia DoubleTree (5485 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045).

Participants will receive valuable information on:

• Understanding your child’s mental and behavioral health needs
• Navigating special education services and other related systems Finding your voice as an advocate for your child, your family, and your community
• Recognizing the importance of self-care for your own well-being and your ability to support your loved ones

You can apply directly through this link: Family Leadership Programs - Maryland Coalition of Families. Support for childcare & transportation expenses is available if needed.

The HCPSS Partnerships 2024–2025 Annual Snapshot is now available. The snapshot includes a link to school system partners including each school’s partners, as well as system wide, curricular, and program office partnerships. The Snapshot highlights the essential role our partners play in ensuring every student has the tools to succeed beyond graduation.

As many Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) families are impacted by the federal government shutdown, we understand that many people in our community may experience financial hardship or uncertainty. HCPSS remains committed to supporting all students and families during this time.

Howard County families who have lost pay due to the shutdown may apply for the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program and the HCPSS Food and Nutrition Office will determine their eligibility status within 24-48 hours. Families that would not ordinarily qualify for the FARMs program could be eligible for the remainder of the school year because of the current loss of income.

Families that are adversely impacted, including those who do not receive FARMs assistance, will have the remainder of the school year to pay off any meal balances incurred during the government shutdown.

Additionally, many students may be suffering fear or anxiety about their family’s current financial situation. Student Services staff at each school are prepared and available to assist students at any time during the school day. Numerous resources are also available for families on the HCPSS website, and other supports are available through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services.

Stay in the loop with all the exciting events hosted and organized by our Family Resource Center — you won’t want to miss what’s coming up! 👀📅

Click on the link below! 👇

The Spirit Wear Shop is now open through 10/10! Click here to shop:

https://selectspiritwear.com/collections/laurel-woods-elementary

Thank you for your support at our Chipotle dine out! We raised $392!

Save the dates:

10/11 - Fall Garden Club

10/16 - Trunk or Treat 5:30-7:30pm

October

• 10/07: Vision & Hearing Screening
• 10/14: Vision & Hearing Screening
• 10/15: Primary Reading Night
• 10/16: 5th Gr. Field Trip - DC Monuments; 5:30-7:30 PTO Trunk or Treat
• 10/17: Schools Closed for Students, MSEA Convention/Professional Work Day; Musical Auditions for Spring Musical
• 10/20: Schools & Offices Closed, Diwali
• 10/22: PTO Dine Out @ Red Robin (kids eat half off); Intermediate Reading Night
• 10/23: Fall Picture Day
• 10/29: Dental Clinic; 2nd Gr Field Trip-Robinson Nature Center
• 10/30: Dental Clinic
• 10/31: 12:15pm Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Work Day, End of 1st Quarter
  

For a complete list of dates and events visit https://lwes.hcpss.org/events

It’s hard to believe that our first quarter has hit the halfway point. This is the perfect time to check in with your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns about their progress. Please make sure you check Canvas regularly for grades. For those new to LWES, you will have conferences in November with your child’s homeroom teacher, but please don’t wait until then to ask questions.

If your child attended LWES last year, you will find a copy of their ELA and Math MCAP report in their folder today. This report is for the MCAP assessment that your student took last school year. Please reach out to Ms. Khalilah Braxton Khalilah_Braxton@hcpss.org if you have any questions.

Join the Office of Instructional Technology & Library Media for an informative session where you will discover the HCPSS Digital Citizenship Curriculum and explore effective ways to support your student(s) as they navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Click here for the flyer. This virtual event is designed for families with elementary-aged students and will be held on Wednesday, October 8, from 6:30-7:30 pm, via Google Meet. Click here to register.

The Mental Health Advisory Council (MHCAC) is a group of community members who seek to remove barriers and build awareness for behavioral health support in Howard County for our children and families. Check out this flyer for more information.

The Health Department will not be administering the flu shot at schools this year. Below is a list of other opportunities for getting the flu shot.

Wed. Oct. 8

3pm - 6pm

Miller Branch Library

9421 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Wed. Oct. 8

5:30pm - 8:30pm

Hispanic Heritage Month Resource Fair
Deep Run Elementary School

6925 Old Waterloo Road, Elkridge, MD 21075

Sat. Oct. 11

11am - 2pm

Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department Open House

5700 Rowanberry Dr, Elkridge, MD 21075

Fri. Oct. 17

12pm - 4pm

Dar Al-Taqwa Mosque

10740 MD-108, Columbia, MD 21042

Wed. Oct. 22

4pm - 7pm

Elkridge Branch Library

6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge, MD 21075

Wed. Oct. 29

6pm - 7:30pm

Homewood Center Trunk or Treat

10914 MD-108, Ellicott City, MD 21042

Sun. Nov. 2

12pm - 1:30pm

Chin Bethel Church Elkridge

6801 Douglas Legum Dr, Elkridge, MD 21075

Sat. Nov. 15

8am - 4pm

Howard County Health Department

8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045

Sun. Nov. 16

8am - 4pm

Howard County Health Department

8930 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD 21045

Walk-ups are accepted at all Health Department flu clinic events. No pre-registration is required. Additional dates for walk-up flu vaccination at the Health Department will be announced later in the fall.

The Howard County Health Department will offer FREE flu shots at various community events this fall. Below please find more information about the flu vaccines available: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/seasonal-flu

• Many local healthcare providers and pharmacies also have flu and other fall respiratory vaccines available. Contact your preferred location directly for more information.